Homemade Hot Cocoa Shake
Old-Fashioned Winter Retro Ice Cream Treat
Old-Fashioned Winter Retro Ice Cream Treat
Slip into that nostalgic shakes & sodas holiday glow with a shake that tastes like it was dreamed up at your favorite mid-century ice cream parlor.
This homemade hot cocoa shake blends classic hot chocolate flavor with creamy scoops of ice cream for a dessert drink that feels playful, a little decadent, and wonderfully old-fashioned.
This shake is such a fun twist light with the flavor of classic hot chocolate, yet rich enough to satisfy any chocolate lover.
You get that cozy cocoa taste in every sip, and with a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top, it truly feels like the best of both worlds.
This blog contains affiliate links, which support the free content on this blog. As an Amazon Associates affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Blog Index:
1. 🍴 A Retro Bite of History
2. Frequently Asked Questions
3. Step by step instructions
4. Fun vintage serving tips
5. Retro shopping
6. Closing words
🍴 A Retro Bite of History
Milkshakes have been delighting sweet tooths since the early 1900s, when soda fountains began blending ice cream with flavored syrups to create a frothy, indulgent treat. By the 1940s and ’50s, shakes were a staple of diners and drive ins served alongside burgers, fries, and teenage jukebox dreams.
Over the decades they’ve evolved into all kinds of fun flavors and textures, but that nostalgic, creamy charm has never changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make a hot cocoa shake without a blender?
Yes! While a blender gives the smoothest texture, you can soften the ice cream slightly and whisk it together with the cocoa mixture by hand for a more old-fashioned, spoonable shake.
2. What kind of ice cream works best for a hot chocolate shake?
Vanilla ice cream gives the shake that classic cocoa meets cream flavor, but chocolate or even malted ice cream adds a richer, diner-style twist
Old Fashioned Shake Recipe
Step by step instructions
Homemade Hot Cocoa Shake Recipe
Era: 1950s
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 1 shake
Ingredients
1 packet Swiss Miss No Sugar Added cocoa mix
3/4 cup hot water
2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
Whipped Cream
Instructions
Mix the cocoa packet with 3/4 cup hot water, then let it cool completely.
Add the cooled cocoa mixture and vanilla ice cream to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
To serve, place 10 mini marshmallows in the bottom of your shake glass.
Drizzle a little Hershey’s chocolate syrup over the marshmallows.
Fill the rest of the glass with the shake mixture.
Finish with more chocolate syrup, whipped cream and optional extra marshmallows on top.
(Tip: Be sure to select the exact page you want to print - otherwise it may print the whole post!)
Fun vintage serving tips
1. Party Ready
Serve your hot cocoa shake in vintage punch cups with a tiny candy cane hung over the rim. Set them out on a silver tray lined with tinsel garland for a festive, old-fashioned holiday party moment.
2. Mountain Cabin Vibe
Pour the shake into enamel camp-style mugs and top with a sprinkle of shaved chocolate. Add a cinnamon stick stirrer for that fireside, flannel-and-snow kind of charm.
3. Malt Shop Magic
Dish it up in a tall soda-fountain glass with whipped cream, extra chocolate drizzle, and a bright red cherry on top. Slide a striped paper straw inside and serve with a jukebox playlist humming in the background.
🛒 Retro Shopping
Available on Amazon: Fun Express GINGHAM CHILI BOWLS - Party Supplies - 12 Pieces
Available on Amazon: 100 Sets/200 Pcs 8.27 Inch Sundae Spoons and Red Paper Straws Heavy Duty Plastic Utensils Party Supply for Ice Cream,Milkshakes,Stirring Cocktails...
closing words
Wrap up your winter day with this playful, old-fashioned hot cocoa shake a sweet little nod to soda fountains, snowy nights, and everything we love about vintage treats. Whether you’re serving it at a party, sipping it fireside, or channeling your favorite malt shop, this whimsical shake brings comfort and charm in every frosty sip.
👉 If you loved this vintage drink recipe, don’t forget to pin it for later, share it with a friend, or leave a comment with your own favorite retro diner/shake memory!
